Citadel Square Sermons

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Luke 16:19-31. Luke closes this chapter with one of Jesus' more enigmatic parables: The rich man and Lazarus. Jesus shows us the paralyzing effects that wealth can have. Deadening our senses to the eternal state, the truth of God's word, and even the resurrection - a life of luxury leaves us both deaf and dumb. Jesus shows us that hearing His word protects us from...

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Luke 16:14-18. The Pharisees heard Jesus loud and clear. You can't serve God and money. They ridicule the absolute polarity of Jesus' teaching, leading to a rebuke and a strange description of those entering the Kingdom. Jesus takes on the culture that surrounds money and marriage to show that faithfulness to God and his word requires grit and courage to abandon ou...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our series in Luke and preaches from Luke 16:1-13. Luke has not only written the gospel for the outsider but he's also written the gospel for the wealthy. Jesus recognizes that wealth can be a snare, but in this parable, he says that wealth creates opportunities. Showing that it takes creativity to steward faithfully, Jesus ultimately shows us that money is a terrible...

Pastor Steve Lindenmeyer preaches from Luke 15:11-32. In this, one of the most well-known parables in all of scripture, Jesus continues to confront the Pharisees about their misguided attitude towards sinners as well as their misunderstanding of the compassionate heart of God. The story of the father and his two sons will demonstrate that both law-breaking and law-keeping can prevent us from havin...

In one of the most well-known chapters in Luke's gospel, Jesus takes an extended time to show how heaven views his ministry. As the Pharisees grumble at his treatment of sinners, Jesus shares two parables to show us how heaven responds to repentance. Parties, rejoicing, and angels carry Jesus's stories, as heaven responds to the simple act of trusting in Jesus.

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Luke 14:25-35. Luke records Jesus's most direct address on discipleship. Having confronted the tendency to pride, and making excuses that characterize the Pharisee's approach to spirituality, Jesus shows us a better way. Jesus places the cross and self-denial on center stage.  He exhorts us to consider if we've considered what it means to follow Jesus at the expens...

In this sermon, we will hear from one of our global mission partners, John Schreiner. John and his family serve as missionaries to college students in the Middle East. He shares from Romans 10:14-21 about God’s desire for the nations.

Pastor Steve Heron continues our Luke series and preaches from Luke 14:15-24. Jesus turns from the inherent selfishness and pride that can corrupt our relationships with one another to focus on God's kingdom banquet. Using another parable, he turns our attention to consider the final kingdom banquet that God is preparing. It's in this story that we learn what kind of host God is, and what can comp...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our series in The Gospel of Luke and preaches from Luke 14:1-14. Luke recounts another confrontation with the religious leaders on a Sabbath and another healing that highlights the hypocrisy of his day. This time, however, the confrontation happens not in a synagogue, but in a home at mealtime. The social economy of honor begs the question. From whom do I seek honor, r...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our series in Luke and preaches from Luke 13:31-35. In this passage, the Pharisees confront Jesus with his coming collision with King Herod while Jesus reaffirms his dedication to his faithfulness to God's plan. While Jesus' steps are sure, it's Jerusalem and its historical pattern of rejection that earns Jesus rebuke. God's persistent love continually calls us to repe...

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Luke 13:22-30. Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem and is asked another question: "Will those who are saved be few?" In typical fashion, Jesus makes sure that we wrestle not with the numbers of the saved, but with our own perseverance in striving to enter the narrow door. It's this final confrontation that awaits us all - our relationship to Jesus will determi...

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Luke 13:18-21.  Jesus follows up his rebuke of the hypocrites in the synagogue with two parables to show us what the Kingdom of God is really like. While we know the synagogue ruler's assessment of life is wrong, it's hard to figure out why. In two parables,  Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God is both strong and sure. Yet there's a secret side to Jesus' work th...

This week, Ben Miller, our Student Ministry Director, preaches from Luke 13:10-17. We encounter Jesus teaching in a local synagogue on the Sabbath. On what should be a day of freedom, rest, and celebration of God’s mercy, we find that not everyone thinks this way. In our text this week we continue to see Jesus uproot the theological suppositions of his day. As he does so, we are forced to wrestle...

Pastoral Resident, Jonathan Suggs, preaches on Luke 13:1-9. Does tragedy always correspond with sin? In this passage, Jesus challenges this popular assumption. He redirects our attention to consider what tragedy should teach us about our real problem and the only true solution. Using the metaphor of a fruitless fig tree, he underscores the importance of genuine repentance, the reality of judgment,...

Pastor AJ Rankin preaches from Luke 12:49-59. If you were asked why Jesus came to earth, would you provide any of the reasons He gives in Luke 12:49-59? In this text, Jesus offers some unexpected answers—to cast fire, to undergo a baptism, and not to give peace but rather division. Jesus also emphasizes the potential conflicts within families when one follows Christ and another rejects Him. Furthe...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our Luke series and preaches from Luke 12:35-48. If we know Heaven awaits us, if we know we are citizens of another kingdom, and if we know all of our needs will be met through our good Father's provision, how then do we live with purpose and focus in this world as we await the new world? Jesus shows us that there's a wise and foolish way to wait for his return, and it...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our look series and preaches from Luke 12:22-34. Jesus continues his teaching on our search for security and safety in our pursuit of money. Showing several examples from nature, Jesus reveals that our faith in our Heavenly Father's provision provides the antidote to the worry and anxiety that so often characterizes discussions about money. Encouraging us to put our ey...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our Luke series and preaches from Luke 12:13-21. In one of Jesus' more colorful parables, Luke shows us the threat of building our identity, and security in what we own. Why does Jesus introduce this teaching here? Why do his disciples, men of no great means, need to hear the lessons of the rich fool? The threat of coveting follows all of us, even those committed to fo...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our Luke series and preaches from Luke 12:1-12. On the heels of his rebukes of the Pharisees, Jesus warns his disciples of the threat of hypocrisy. The tendency we have to divorce our inner life from our outer life is what fuels the teaching of these spiritual leaders. Using examples from nature, the reality of death, and judgment, Jesus untangles the temptation of hyp...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our series, The Gospel of Luke, and preaches from Luke 11:37-54. Jesus sits down to eat with a Pharisee and surprises them with the simple act of refusing to wash his hands. This leads to a lengthy commentary on what it means to actually practice righteousness. Exposing the consequences of spiritual impurity Jesus strongly denounces this class of religious leaders to s...

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Acts 17:22-34 on Easter 2024.

Pastor Steve Heron preaches from Matthew 27:27-31 on Good Friday 2024.

Pastor Steve Heron continues our series and preaches from Luke 11:29-36. While the crowds are increasing, Jesus takes an opportunity to confront the evil of demanding a sign from God. Using several Old Testament stories of repentance, Jesus shows us that repentance responds to the truth, rather than demanding proof of the message. Pivoting to make his point in a different way, Jesus says it's the...

Pastor Steve Heron continues our series, The Gospel of Luke, and preaches from Luke 11:24-28. In this passage, we will see Jesus use the story of a wandering demon to show that change doesn't necessarily mean God has done a work in someone's life. There are a myriad of ways to "clean up" our lives and Jesus recognizes that experiencing change doesn't necessarily mean we've embraced him. Confrontin...

Pastor Steve Lindenmeyer continues our series in the Gospel of Luke and preaches from Luke 11:29-36. In this passage, we see Jesus take an opportunity to confront the evil of demanding a sign from God. Using several Old Testament stories of repentance, Jesus shows us that repentance responds to the truth, rather than demanding proof of the message. Pivoting to make his point in a different way, Je...